Amelia+Spork

On October 12, 1877, Nellie Ryan, an unmarried 21-year-old white woman from Turner Junction, Illinois, died in Chicago during a criminal abortion. Midwife Amelia Spork was arrested for Nellie's death.

A physician named Emelie Spork was listed at 218 W. Indiana Street in Chicago in 1877. The 1880 Census lists an Emiley Spork as a physician born in Sweden in 1830, and living at that time in Chicago. Her 27-year-old son, Peter, was living with her and attending medical college. I believe that all of these Mrs./Dr. Sporks are the same woman.